Finished Reading Vampires in the Lemon Grove

Vampires in the Lemon Grove by Karen Russell

Vampires in the Lemon Grove is a collection of eight short stories written by Karen Russell. Each story takes the reader to a different time and a different place. All are vivid and touched with magical realism, though Russell’s own writing borders on otherworldly – effortlessly drawing you into these fantastical, sometimes funny, stories.

“Vampires in the Lemon Grove” features vampires seeking to slake their thirst on something other than blood.

“Reeling for the Empire” is about captive girls made into silkworms.

“The Seagull Army Descends on Strong Beach” is where a boy discovers these birds are hoarding stolen bits of the future.

“Proving Up” is a ghostly tale set during the homesteading period of U.S. history.

“The Barn at the End of Our Term” is my favorite (perhaps due to my fondness for U.S. presidential history). A funny speculation about what happened to some of these presidents after they died.

“Dougbert Shackleton’s Rules for Antarctic Tailgating” is a no-nonsense primer for hard core fans of Team Krill who trek to the bottom of the world for the annual competition.

“The New Veterans” is about a massage therapist whose patient has an unusual tattoo that changes beneath her hands.

“The Graveless Doll of Eric Mutis” is about a group of bullies who discover a scarecrow that has an unsettling likeness to that of their victim.

2 thoughts on “Finished Reading Vampires in the Lemon Grove”

Sorry for commenting on such an old post, but I had to say I love that you’re writing a vampire novel! I am, too, though mine sounds very different (and probably much less good) than yours. I haven’t worked on it since I got to Oz, though… need to get back to it!